Star Keys Motuhope (28071)
New Zealand, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, B2
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Star Keys Motuhope
Central coordinates: Latitude: -44.2232, Longitude: -176.0140
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 0.72729
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: IBA Trigger species: Chatham Island Shag, Pitt Island Shag, Chatham Snipe. Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: Little Penguin, Black-winged petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Subantarctic Little Shearwater, Broad-billed Prion, Fairy Prion, White-faced Storm Petrel, Grey-backed Petrel, Common Diving Petrel, Brown Skua, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, White-fronted Tern, Chatham island Pipit, Chatham Island Warbler, Redpoll, Starling.
Other site values: The Star Keys Motuhope are Maori/privately owned and access is strictly limited. The Star Keys Motuhope are Maori/privately owned and access is strictly limited.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 48 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 48 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The islands are pest and disease-free and access is strictly limited. However, reinvasion is a threat, particularly from any landing parties. Human disturbance – No Predation by alien species – No Habitat loss or degradation – No Contamination – No Natural disaster – No Other – No
Additional information
References: Aikman, H.; Miskelly, C. 2004. Birds of the Chatham Islands. Wellington, Department of Conservation. Bell M., Bell, D. 2000. Census of three shag species in the Chatham Islands. Notornis 47: 148-153 Bell, M. 2012. Shag interactions with commercial rock lobster pot and trap fishing methods in the Chatham Islands. Wildlife Management International for DOC. Contract 4342 (INT2011-02 - Shag interactions with commercial pot and trap fishing methods in New Zealand). 24pp. Bester, A.J., Chateris, M. 2005. The second census of Chatham Island shag and Pitt Island shag - are numbers declining. No-tornis 52: 6-10 Debski, I., Bell, M., Palmer, D. 2012. Chatham Island and Pitt Island shag census 2011. Contract MCSPO2010-02, Department of Conservation, Wellington. Imber, M.J. 1994. Seabirds recorded at the Chatham Islands, 1960 to May 1993. Notornis 41: 97-108